GlenPeterson

Glen B. 'Pete' Peterson Glen was born on October 16, 1919 to Belle and Carl Peterson in Alta, Iowa, the youngest of four and passed away on April 3, 2013. He lived in Austin since 1968. Upon high School graduation, Glen seized an opportunity to venture to Washington D.C. where he was employed by the Census Bureau in the Commerce Dept. making $1800 a year. In 1942, he was drafted in to the Army where he was sent to Bastrop TX and also Louisiana for Basic training. Due to high test scores he was sent to Maryland for Officer training school. After serving four years as Captain during WWII overseas he was promoted to Major right before the war ended. Glen met Dorothy Wiese in Austin, TX and married in March of 1943 after a short courtship. Their oldest son, Glen N. was born in Austin. Sometime after the war, he and his young family moved to Alta, IA where he and his brother, Morris, owned and operated the 'Petersons' grocery and dry goods store for nearly 23 years. Glen was active in the Alta Trinity Lutheran church, VFW, Masonic Lodge, was school board President and served as Scout Master. Glen and family moved to Austin in 1968 where he was a supervisor for the Texas State Purchasing Dept. for 10 years. He enjoyed bowling and especially golf with his friends in his retirement. He was highly regarded by his Company M fellow soldiers in the 97th Infantry Division, the 303rd Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Battalion, and known by all as Captain Pete. He treasured their friendship and attended numerous reunions with them around the country. The 97th Infantry Division fought in the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket and participated in the liberation of Czechoslovakia and the occupation of Japan. It participated in the entire Central Europe Campaign where it's mission was to protect Gen. Patton's left flank. Glen was awarded the Bronze Star for his duty in the battle of Ruhr Pocket. The first major combat assignment given the 97th was in this battle. Operating as a unit of the XVIII Corps Airborne of the First Army, units of the Division plunged northward across the Sieg River and into the pocket. This action was climaxed on April 17 when Lt. Col. Victor Wallace led his 3rd Battalion, 303rd Infantry Regiment through the streets of Duesseldorf and accepted the Cities surrender. In a lightning 10 day campaign the 97th, after striking across the Sieg River in assault boats had pushed 40 miles along a 20-30 mile front to its final objective, Duesseldorf. It captured 21,791 prisoners of war and nearly 1000 square miles of German territory. The 97th was one of only two Divisions to serve in both European and Asia Pacific theatres of war. The 97th was also credited with firing the last official shot in the European theatre of Operations during WWII. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy and his oldest son, Glen. With loving memories Glen is survived by two sister in laws and many nieces and nephews, his son Brian Peterson and his wife Marianne, twin daughters Marlene Wilkinson Sewell and Melinda Avey and husband Jerry, his daughter in law Pam Peterson and also three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Memorial Hill Cemetery, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville. In lieu of gifts, please make a monetary contribution to the
or
. Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com